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Crimean Tatars being forced to become Russian citizens

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

The leader of Crimean Tatars has stated that since the annexation of Crimea his people are being forced to become Russian.

ANKARA - The leader of the Crimean Tatars has said they are being "forced" to change their nationalities and "become Russian citizens" since Russia's April annexation of Crimea.

"The occupiers are forcing us to become Russian citizens," Abdulcemil Kirimoglu said following a meeting with Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu Tuesday.

"They will not give us jobs if we disagree with them and they will discriminate us," Kirimoglu added.

Meanwhile Davutoglu has reiterated his concerns for Crimean Tatars saying that "Abdulcemil Kirimoglu should be able to enter the peninsula any time as the leader of Turks living there for centuries."

"The presence of Crimean Tatars must be guaranteed on the peninsula and they should be able to live there as the real owners of Crimea preserving their political, economic and cultural rights" he added.

The Tatar leader has been refused entry into the Crimean peninsula by Russian forces following its annexation of Crimea.